Individual animal risk factors for clinical mastitis in meat sheep in Norway

An m:n matched case–control study was conducted to identify risk factors for ovine clinical mastitis (CM). Data were from a national sheep registry and only ewes that lambed in the spring of 2004 were included. Eligible cases (n = 2857) and controls (n = 76,716) from 1056 flocks of meat sheep were matched on flock and conditional logistic regression was used for analysis of the data. CM risk was associated with age of the ewe and whether or not assistance at lambing was needed owing to dystocia; however, the effects of both these factors were modified by the number of lambs born. In ewes with 1 lamb, increasing age was associated with increased odds of CM (OR = 1.2 for each 1-year increase), while only a slight numerical increase in the odds was observed in ewes with >1 lamb. Dystocia was associated with increased odds of CM in ewes with 1 lamb (OR = 1.7) or 2 lambs (OR = 1.4), while no association was observed in ewes with >2 lambs. The odds of CM increased markedly with increasing number of lambs born to the ewe. For example, odds for 2-year-old ewes without dystocia were 6.7 times greater for those with >3 lambs than for those with 1 lamb. Compared with ewes of old Norwegian breeds, ewes of other breeds were more likely to experience CM (OR = 1.7). Ewes treated for CM at least once during the preceding 3 years had 4.0 times greater odds of CM compared with ewes without a CM history. It is likely that the effect estimates from this study, which are adjusted for breed and unaffected by inter-flock variations, are valid also for other meat sheep populations.     

Early pedogenic evolution of constructed Technosols

Purpose  

Constructed soils are Technosols resulting from the deliberate combination of various artefacts. Similarly to natural soils, technogenic parent materials are transformed by pedogenic factors contributing to their evolution. This work was conducted to study the first stages of the pedogenesis of constructed soils.     

Epidemiological investigations in regard to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in Quebec, Canada. Part 2: prevalence and risk factors in breeding sites

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a major threat for swine industry and understanding factors involved in its epidemiology is undoubtedly essential for disease control. As a part of a larger project, a cross-sectional study was performed on breeding sites in a moderate density area of swine production in Quebec to estimate the prevalence of PRRSV infected sites and to evaluate if characteristics of sites and biosecurity practices, either as specific measures or as a global score, were associated with PRRSV status. A questionnaire and diagnostic procedures were performed on 54 breeding sites between September 2006 and August 2008. A biosecurity score that had been previously computed using two-step clustering procedure was used, classifying breeding sites into two biosecurity patterns (high vs. low) according to 21 specific biosecurity measures. The apparent prevalence of PRRSV infected sites was 74.0% (95% CI, 60.3-85.0). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models with robust standard errors adjusting for potential clustering of sites due to same ownership were computed. In a first multivariable model evaluating characteristics of sites and specific biosecurity variables, four main effects were significantly associated (P<0.05) with PRRSV positive status: large pig inventory (OR: 10.7), proximity to closest pig site (OR: 7.3), absence of shower (OR: 8.7) and free access to the main entrance of the site by the rendering truck (OR: 7.0). In a second multivariable model including a global biosecurity score as a surrogate for a specific pattern of biosecurity measures, this score was not retained in the final model. The adjusted population attributable fractions were 16% for the proximity to closest pig site variable, 27% for the absence of shower variable, and 10% for the free access to main entrance of the site by the rendering truck. These two latter biosecurity measures, manageable directly on the site, should be prioritized and be part of any intervention strategy designed for PRRSV control.     

Ultrasonographic fetal well-being assessment, neonatal and postpartum findings of cloned pregnancies in cattle: A preliminary study on 10 fetuses and calves

Cloned pregnancies in cattle are considered to be at risk due to a variety of fetal or adnexal abnormalities. Data is lacking concerning the possibility of transabdominal ultrasonography in the assessment of these high risk pregnancies. Transabdominal ultrasonography has rarely been reported in the assessment of bovine cloned pregnancies. Ten Holstein heifers carrying 8-month-old cloned fetuses were assessed by transabdominal ultrasonographic examination during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Fetal heart rates (FHR), movements, adnexal appearance, and placentome size were recorded. The outcome of the pregnancies was also noted and potential indicators of fetal demise recorded. Survival rate 1 week after birth was 30%. Mean FHR was 113 beats per minute (range: 92 to 128 bpm) during the fetal ultrasonography. No correlation between FHR and fetal activity was found. Fetal hyperactivity and imaging of hyperechoic particles in both allantoic and amniotic fluids were possible signs of fetal distress. Despite the size of the fetus and the deep bovine abdomen, fetal transabdominal ultrasonography can be performed in cattle. This preliminary study points to the necessity of further larger studies for defining normal and abnormal findings in bovine late pregnancy.     

Familial aortic aneurysm in Leonberg dogs

A thoracic aortic aneurysm was diagnosed in a 6-month-old male Leonberg dog by use of radiography, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The aneurysm was associated with a twisted ascending aorta and dilatation of several other thoracic arteries (pulmonary trunk, brachiocephalic trunk, and left subclavian artery). Histologic examination of the aorta revealed cystic medial necrosis, with disruption of the elastic network, collagen fibers, and the muscle glycoprotein fibrillin-1. The dam and sire of the dog and 8 littermates were examined by use of transthoracic echocardiography. The sire and 1 male littermate also had an aneurysm of the ascending aorta. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of familial aortic aneurysm in dogs.     

Indian peanut clump virus (IPCV) infection on wheat and barley: symptoms, yield loss and transmission through seed

Wheat and barley crops were shown to be susceptible to Indian peanut clump virus (IPCV) under field conditions. In wheat, the Hyderabad isolate of IPCV (IPCV-H) induced symptoms resembling the rosette caused by soil-borne wheat mosaic virus, and these were apparent only three weeks after emergence. Early-infected plants were severely stunted and dark green, with chlorotic streaks on the youngest leaves, which turned necrotic as the plants aged; most of these plants died. Late-infected plants were also stunted and were conspicuous in the field because of their dark green appearance as a result of delayed maturity. The virus was detected by ELISA and nucleic acid hybridization in all plants with symptoms. These plants usually produced fewer tillers than healthy ones. Spikes were malformed, often did not emerge from the flag leaf, and they contained few, shrivelled seeds. Grain yield was decreased, on average, by 58%. In barley, IPCV-H caused severe stunting and general leaf chlorosis. As the plants aged, the leaves became necrotic and the few infected plants that reached maturity produced small spikes. IPCV-H antigens were detected by ELISA in every wheat seed from infected plants and the virus was transmitted through wheat seed at a frequency of 0.5–1.3%. Storage at 4°C for more than a year did not affect seed transmission frequency. The virus was detected in leaves and roots of seed-transmitted plants. Seed transmission was not detected in barley. The Durgapura isolate (IPCV-D) was detected in wheat crops (cv. RR-21) at 3 different locations in Rajasthan State, India. Infected plants showed reduced growth without any overt symptoms.     

Two promoter rearrangements in a drug efflux transporter gene are responsible for the appearance and spread of multidrug resistance phenotype MDR2 in Botrytis cinerea isolates in French and German vineyards

In French and German vineyards, Botrytis cinerea isolates with multiple fungicide resistance phenotypes have been observed with increasing frequencies. Multidrug resistance (MDR) results from mutations that lead to constitutive overexpression of genes encoding drug efflux transporters. In MDR2 and MDR3 strains, overexpression of the major facilitator superfamily transporter gene mfsM2 has been found to result from a rearrangement in the mfsM2 promoter (type A), caused by insertion of a retroelement (RE)-derived sequence. Here, we report the discovery of another, similar RE-induced rearrangement of the mfsM2 promoter (type B) in a subpopulation of French MDR2 isolates. MDR2 isolates harboring either type A or type B mutations in mfsM2 show the same resistance phenotypes and similar levels of mfsM2 overexpression. RE sequences similar to those in mfsM2 were found in low copy numbers in other but not all B. cinerea strains analyzed, including non-MDR2 strains. Population genetic analyses support the hypothesis that the two rearrangement mutations have only occurred once, and are responsible for the appearance and subsequent spread of all known MDR2 and MDR3 strains in French and German wine-growing regions.     

Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in a Canada lynx with phacoclastic uveitis

A 4-year-old male Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) was referred to the ophthalmology service at the University of Saskatchewan with a 7-month history of cataract and chronic phacoclastic uveitis secondary to penetrating trauma from a lynx claw. Ophthalmic examination of the right eye revealed a corneal scar, marked aqueous flare, extensive fibrovascular membranes extending from the iris to the lens, anterior and posterior synechiae, immature cataract, and anterior vitritis; the fundus was not visible. Phacoemulsification surgery and intraocular lens implantation using a custom lens of D+46 and 14 mm (An-vision, West Jordan, Utah, USA) was performed. Post-operative medications included sub-conjunctival injections of atropine, cefazolin, and triamcinolone, and oral doxycycline and prednisolone. At the 5-month follow-up, the uveitis was controlled, and a normal fundus was visualized; at 21 mo, the eye remained comfortable and visual. This is the first case report to describe phacoemulsification in a wild felid as a treatment for a traumatic cataract and severe phacoclastic uveitis.Key clinical message:Despite chronic phacoclastic uveitis, phacoemulsification surgery can provide a positive outcome for mature wild felids with traumatic lens rupture, even when topical treatment cannot be administered.     

Impact of dietary tryptophan and behavioral type on growth performance and plasma amino acids of young pigs

Tryptophan (TRP) content in the protein of the weaning diet was varied from deficient (.70 g/16 g N) to adequate (1.15 g/16 g N) and excess (1.60 g/16 g N) in diets fed to 108 pigs from d 5 to d 26 after weaning (W) and in 72 pigs from d 26 after weaning to slaughter (100 kg live weight) to assess immediate and long-term effects of TRP on performance. Daily weight gain and feed efficiency were improved when dietary TRP was increased from deficient to adequate (+60 and +40%, respectively). Concurrently, daily feed intake was elevated moderately (+15%). No further improvement was observed with excess TRP. In the low TRP group, gain/feed was significantly poorer up to 25 kg live weight, but this effect did not continue later. Although no compensatory growth could be shown in the group fed the deficient diet, growth retardation was very small (1.5%; P greater than .10) at slaughter. Early changes in TRP supply did not affect either carcass or meat quality. Behavioral reactivity, as determined on day W + 5 in an "open-field" test, did not affect early performance, but growth rate during the growing-finishing stage (3.2%) or the whole period (2.5%) was greater by nonemotional than by emotional pigs. Plasma amino acid contents in blood samples, withdrawn on day W + 15 (fed state) and W + 17 (fasted state), were consistent with the effect of TRP on growth rates. However, in the fasted state, a diet x reactivity interaction suggested that TRP removal from the plasma was less rapid in nonemotional than in emotional pigs. Furthermore, increased plasma concentrations of essential amino acids and urea in the latter group suggested that protein and amino acid catabolism was more rapid in emotional than in nonemotional pigs. These data are discussed relative to the effect of the behavioral type of pig on its TRP requirement.